Latest news with #Saveways
The Guardian
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Krept & Konan: Young Kingz II review – filthy and poignant in equal measure
Five years since their last album, the south London rap duo return on their own Play Dirty label after a decade in partnership with a major. This is a sort-of sequel to their legend-minting 2013 mixtape Young Kingz, although II's luxury beats and plutocrat obsessions are some distance from its gritty, grimy vibe. Still, Krept & Konan haven't sat on their fortunes as if they're dragon eggs. Their Crepes & Cones restaurant has closed but they've recently set up a foundation for at-risk kids, a mental health charity and Saveways, Britain's largest supermarket for black and Asian communities. As always, their verses address family, cash and sex with a candour and filthy wit that few can match. Krept's Nala's Song (to his daughter) and Konan's Delroy's Son (for his late dad) are twin emotional peaks in the album's middle; elsewhere, their flair for memorable metaphors and parochial references remains undimmed. Freestyles and features abound, most notably Ghetts on Rage, or guest Oxlade's angelic tone blessing Kilimanjaro. There's nothing as brutally exciting as 2023 posse cut Dat Way (Remix), but it's pure pleasure to hear the pair wielding their axe-shaped pens in anger again.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK rappers open new supermarket to help their community 'feel seen'
By Catarina Demony and Suban Abdulla LONDON (Reuters) - Tired of going from shop to shop in their hometown to find the culturally diverse products they need, two British rappers have decided to take matters into their own hands. Award-winning duo Casyo Johnson and Karl Wilson, known in the music world as Krept and Konan and the voices behind the 2015 hit "Freak of the Week", grew up in Croydon, south London, where about 40% of residents identified as Black or Asian in a 2021 census. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. But the duo say many of those communities are underserved by small local convenience stores and that the "world food" aisles in some of the major grocery chains often lack in product variety - a gap they hope to fill with their new 15,000 square foot supermarket, "Saveways", which opens on Saturday. "We want people to feel seen," said Konan, who along with Krept was awarded a British Empire Medal in 2020 for their services to music and the community in Croydon. "We want people to feel that they've got a place that represents them when they want to get their specific food." Shelves have been stocked with hundreds of spices, different types of beans, rice and cooking oils. Shoppers will also be able to bulk-buy halal meat, exotic fish and fruits, as well as ethnic hair and beauty products. There is a prayer room and a comment box near the checkouts where shoppers can make requests for new products. The idea to open a "one-stop-shop" with products tailored to Black, Asian and ethnic communities was pitched to Krept and Konan by their business partner, Kaysor Ali, who has known the rappers for more than 15 years. "There is a lot of heart behind it and that's where it really comes from," Ali said. "To bridge that gap ... because no one has ever really done it - not to this standard."
Reuters
31-01-2025
- Business
- Reuters
UK rappers open new supermarket to help their community 'feel seen'
LONDON, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Tired of going from shop to shop in their hometown to find the culturally diverse products they need, two British rappers have decided to take matters into their own hands. Award-winning duo Casyo Johnson and Karl Wilson, known in the music world as Krept and Konan and the voices behind the 2015 hit "Freak of the Week", grew up in Croydon, south London, where about 40% of residents identified as Black or Asian in a 2021 census. But the duo say many of those communities are underserved by small local convenience stores and that the "world food" aisles in some of the major grocery chains often lack in product variety - a gap they hope to fill with their new 15,000 square foot supermarket, "Saveways", which opens on Saturday. "We want people to feel seen," said Konan, who along with Krept was awarded a British Empire Medal in 2020 for their services to music and the community in Croydon. "We want people to feel that they've got a place that represents them when they want to get their specific food." Shelves have been stocked with hundreds of spices, different types of beans, rice and cooking oils. Shoppers will also be able to bulk-buy halal meat, exotic fish and fruits, as well as ethnic hair and beauty products. There is a prayer room and a comment box near the checkouts where shoppers can make requests for new products. The idea to open a "one-stop-shop" with products tailored to Black, Asian and ethnic communities was pitched to Krept and Konan by their business partner, Kaysor Ali, who has known the rappers for more than 15 years. "There is a lot of heart behind it and that's where it really comes from," Ali said. "To bridge that gap ... because no one has ever really done it - not to this standard."
